I loved the first 40% and last 10% of this book. But that middle 50%ish? A bit too slow paced for me. I think this as a novella could’ve been 5 stars for me, but a novel was just too dragged out. I do think cozy fantasy fans will love this though. It just didn’t land for me like her other fantasy works. I will still eat up any book Kingfisher puts out because she is such an incredible writer. She definitely writes the best banter out there.

Apparently this is set in the world of The Clockwork Boys, which I haven’t read, but I didn’t feel confused or lost with a book set in a previously established world.

This book made me want to read every book T. Kingfisher ever wrote. A cozy fantasy sprinkled with romance makes this a book you won't want to put down. A man who has been trapped in a sword was not a plotline I expected to like but the author really made it work! Highly recommend! Thank you Bramble for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This book was so close to being really good! Unfortunately, it fell flat for me.

I was intrigued by the premise of this book, and I was excited to read about the journey these characters were going to go on. The plot was quite dull, and despite the odd few chapters, I couldn't get invested into the story.

The pacing was incredibly slow, and there was very little excitement. I did enjoy the relationship between Halla and Sarkis, and the backstory to both characters were interesting. I would have loved if there was a little bit more of an exploration into the relationship of these two. I usually hate a third-act breakup, but this book had me wanting more tension during that time.

Overall, I think the idea of this book was great, but it was a little boring for what was promised.

🩵Thank you NetGalley & the author T.Kingfisher for the access to the ebook of Swordheart🩵

🗡️ Cozy Fantasy
🗡️ Protective Bodyguard
🗡️Banter
🗡️ late 30s/ early 40s FMC & MMC

Synopsis:
⚔️ Halla, a widowed housekeeper for her great-uncle, inherits his estate upon his passing. However, his relatives are determined to seize it from her. Sarkis, an immortal swordsman trapped in a prison—a sword—finds himself compelled to defend his new wielder, Halla, against various adversaries, including bandits, roving inquisitors, and even her own in-laws, all in an effort to protect her inheritance. ⚔️

My thoughts:
⚔️ I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The banter between Halla and Sarkis was particularly delightful, eliciting multiple outbursts of laughter from me. Additionally, I appreciated the fact that the characters were older, which provided a refreshing change from the typical younger protagonists. ⚔️

Having never read anything by T. Kingfisher before, I didn't really know what I was getting into when I started Swordheart and I was surprised...in a great way! This book was delightful! I laughed out loud multiple times, and I adored the characters. Halla is hilarious and clever and Sarkis is grumpy and adorable. I loved that Halla was not your typical 19-year old "chosen one" main character: she's older, she's a widow, and she's finally about to truly start living her life if her awful relatives would just leave her alone.

This is very much a "quest" fantasy and it was so fun. The side characters were great (except Halla's relatives) and the entire story was enjoyable from start to finish. I loved the romance! I would absolutely recommend this for lovers of cozy fantasy, and I will definitely be reading more by Kingfisher!

This book is charming as all get out. For younger audiences, "as all get out" is a less explicit way of saying "AF." And it is.
The story starts with one of the funniest, most understated asides I have ever encountered in my long life as a reader and it just keeps getting better.
The characters are delightful. Halla reminded me of one of my best friends whom I would never ever travel with, ever again, but for whom I would absolutely take a bullet. Sarkis is exactly my type and exemplifies why I shouldn't be trusted in the dating pool. Zale is perfection. I would 100% road trip with them.
The story is nonstop chaos and makes a strong case for reading Kingfisher's Paladin's Grace series, which, up until now, I haven't made time for but fully intend to set upon in the nearest future.
Kingfisher clearly deploys an editor and her writing is crisp and compelling. If you've read any of my other reviews you will know I have mad respect for good editing.
I rate this book 4 stars out of 5 because I think anyone that enjoys a cozy fantasy will love it, but it may not be for non-fantasy readers.

Thanks NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group, and Bramble for this arc!

4.5/5 stars rounded up!

This was a fun adventure from start to finish! Halla, a widow in her mid thirties, was left everything in her uncle's will - much to the dismay and displeasure of his relatives. After being locked in her room for days, the only way out she can see is impaling herself on the dusty old sword that's been hanging above her bed since she moved in. However, when she draws said sword, a - brooding and dashing - warrior pops out, swearing to protect and serve her. What follows is an exciting quest to reclaim her inheritance full of adventure, mayhem, peril, romance, and humour. Halla is as clever as she is chatty, and it's so fun to watch her and Sarkis fall for each other! I really loved Zale's character, and with the teasing of more in this series I hope we see more of them in future novels, not just Halla and Sarkis! I'm looking forward to reading the other books currently published set in this world, too!

ARC Review: Swordheart by T. Kingfisher

T. Kingfisher delivers another delightfully offbeat fantasy with Swordheart, a book filled with humor, heart, and just the right amount of absurdity. This is a fantasy romance that doesn’t take itself too seriously, yet still delivers on adventure, character depth, and emotional stakes.

Halla, a widowed housekeeper, suddenly finds herself the sole inheritor of a great fortune—and her late husband’s family isn’t happy about it. While trying to figure out what to do next, she accidentally releases Sarkis, a warrior who has been magically trapped inside an ancient sword. Bound by duty (and possibly magic), Sarkis must now protect Halla, even as she barrels headfirst into danger with her unshakable practicality and sharp wit.

The banter between Halla and Sarkis is the highlight of the book. Halla isn’t your typical fantasy heroine—she’s refreshingly unpolished, full of curiosity, and not the least bit graceful, while Sarkis is a grumpy, long-suffering warrior who has no idea how to handle her. Their dynamic is pure gold, with plenty of grumpy vs. sunshine energy and awkward-yet-endearing romantic tension.

Beyond the romance, Swordheart also weaves in clever worldbuilding, a fascinating magic system, and a great supporting cast. The mix of slice-of-life moments and adventure made the journey feel immersive and lived-in, creating a story that feels both intimate and epic. While the pacing slows at times, the book’s charm, humor, and heart make it an absolute delight.

If you love found family, sentient swords, and a romance filled with chaotic energy, Swordheart is a must-read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
🌶️ 1/5 (a few suggestive moments but mostly tame)
LGBTQ+ rep present

Note: This ARC was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review.

Swordheart by T. Kingfisher is an absolute delight from start to finish! This fast-paced and witty fantasy novel blends humor, heart, and adventure in the most refreshing way. The characters, especially the protagonist, Halla, are wonderfully fleshed out, and the chemistry between her and the magical sword (which just so happens to have a very interesting personality) is both hilarious and endearing. Kingfisher's trademark charm shines through in the dialogue and the way she effortlessly combines fantasy tropes with her unique sense of humor.

The world-building is rich and immersive without ever feeling overwhelming, and the pacing keeps you hooked throughout. It's a perfect mix of action, fantasy, and clever wit, with just the right amount of romance and emotional depth. Fans of T. Kingfisher’s work will not be disappointed, and readers new to her books are in for a delightful treat. Swordheart is a charming, fast-paced story with just enough of everything to make it an unforgettable read. Highly recommended for anyone who loves a great adventure with a lot of heart!

I really loved this book. T. Kingfisher never lets me down. Halla and Sarkis are absolutely magnificent. These characters are funny, smart, and brave. The story is original, and the found family aspect is just so cozy and wonderful. I loved this adventure as much as Kingfisher's other works. She is a master of cozy fantasy!

I loved this book. This was my first five star read of the year. I love when I get to follow an older character. There was adventure, a little romance and quirky characters that had me laughing. I love this author and I will read anything they write.

This is a fun romance between a sensible widow and her enchanted sword. After an unexpected inheritance, she has to escape from her greedy relatives with the help of the warrior spirit she found inside a magic sword, embark on a quest for legal aid, and avoid creepy forests and menacing priests, all while falling in love. It's a good adventure - with bandits, creepy monsters, and rescues and escapes - but also a very touching love story between two people who have been hurt before and are uncertain why anyone would want them. (Pretty sexy, too, without being graphic about it.) It's an engaging story, the characters are great, funny and sensible, and you can really see how well they complement each other. I'd recommend this to anyone, especially if you want a fantasy that isn't about saving the world.

More cozy fantasy involving road trips and sarcastic, quirky buddies. As always with T. Kingfisher, this hit my sweet spot — funny with heart — and can I tell you what I really appreciated? Halla’s incessant questioning of how Sarkis’s curse worked. You better believe that if I met a man trapped in a sword, I’d be running all kinds of tests, especially if I found myself falling for him. The miscommunications around their relationship did annoy me a little bit, but I am of course willing to put that aside because everything else was so delightful. And I freaking love this new cover. AND I was even more excited to finish and find out that there would be more adventures to come.

Swordheart by T. Kingfisher 4⭐️

I am so happy and surprised that the main female lead Halla was a woman in her late 30’s. Not only was she funny but she is kindhearted. Plus I love how she rambles on when she’s kinda nervous or trying to avoid being killed. LOL This was a refreshing read and i was rooting for Halla and Sarkis the whole time.

The story follows Halla and her magical sword (Sarkis). Halla inherits her uncle (in-law) house and everything he owns. Shes pretty much force to fight his family for the will and it’s an interesting adventure.

Sarkis is a man stuck in a sword and is probably over 500 years old. So there’s technically a huge age gap but he’s technically a magical sword… kinda? LOL

Anyway it was a fun read and I would definitely recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley for the eArc! I’m going to pick up the deluxe edition so it can live on my shelf forever. Enchanted sword who protects you? Sign me up please 💙🥰

Thank you, Kingfisher, NetGalley, and Tor publishing for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was the first book I've read by Kingfisher, and it did not disappoint!
The world building was exceptional, and the characters were so well written. As an over thinker, and an answer seeker, I've never related to a character more than I relate to Halla. She is hilarious. I also appreciated reading a story where the main characters were not in their teens. Halla is an average 36 year old woman.
As a reader who imagines myself as the main character, I was easily able to picture myself on her journey. Books with parapets and life or death trials also hold space in my heart, but I enjoyed how the adventure in Swordheart simply stemmed from Halla avoiding marrying her cousin. It made it a lighthearted, comfy and cozy, fun read.

4.5 stars rounded up and my thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the eARC!

I loved this story so much! Kingfisher writes horror really really well, so I'm not at all surprised that her fantasy/romance books are just as amazing.

Halla is trapped by her in-laws after the death of both her husband and his elderly uncle whom she was caring for. Trapped both metaphorically and physically, she's about to be forced to marry her late husbands cousin and locked in her bedroom until she agrees to such. When she finds a sword, she unsheathes it in preparation to kill herself, only to have a handsome knight suddenly appear and swear fealty to her.

Halla and Sarkis had such a fun relationship throughout the whole book. Halla trying to survive and Sarkis trying his best to prevent her from causing trouble. I loved the banter between the two of them, especially near the beginning when they were first learning each other.

The only thing keeping it from the full 5 stars was the length of the book. I think it probably could have been cut maybe 50 pages or so here and there. There was a part of the novel that seemed like it was going to set something up with Sarkis and finding out more about him, but then it went nowhere and meant really nothing to this story.

This special edition of T Kingfisher’s 2018 Romantasy Swordheart was released this week. There is nothing like the way Kingfisher gives her characters such a sarcastic and yet endearing voice that is hilarious and cozy. I have mostly read her horrorish novels in the past so I was a little unsure about a romantasy, but Swordheart was everything I wanted it to be and more.

A 30 something widowed housekeeper finds herself the soul inheritor of her great uncle’s property and fortune. His hideous family is not happy and plots to force her into a marriage with her cousin so they can get the money. But when Halla unsheathes a sword she discovers, an immortal man appears and announces he is sworn to her service.

For most of the story Halla and Sarkis travel together to call on an order of priests to help her receive her inheritance, but along the way we find some great side characters and some adventures. But the real jewel is how the journey allows time for us to get to know Sarkis and Halla, and surprise surprise, see them fall in love. Given that Sarkis has his own backstory, and his inability to not serve the sword-bearer, things get pretty complicated.

This was a fun read and I’m in love with these characters. It’s not Kingfishers best novel, but that bar is pretty darn high at this point.

If you like a fairy tale vibe with grown ass characters with an attitude, I would highly recommended this adorable romantasy.

A funny and fantastic adventure story from one of my favorite authors! Such a good revamp of her earlier work!

This was a solid read, I just wasn’t in the mood for it. I think I prefer T Kingfisher’s dark and twisty works to the more lighthearted ones. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

I really struggled with this book. The plot felt like it really dragged. While I enjoyed many of T Kingfishers books, this just didn’t hit the spot for me.